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“The 2007/2008 audit of the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer”<br />“The 2006/2007 audit of the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer”
We have a response from the accountable officer on the reports on the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer. You will note from the response from Peter Collings that he accepts that there were things that "should not have happened," although he states:
Mr Collings has given us quite a contrite response. In the circumstances, I think that we should just note it.
Can someone remind the committee what the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer does?
I ask someone from Audit Scotland to give us a description of the remembrancer's function.
The Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer deals with intestate matters. In other words, if people die without a will, and if there are problems with resolving the deceased's estate, the remembrancer handles the issues. Anything to do with the estate that has to revert to the Crown is handled through the remembrancer. Phil Grigor is nodding, so I have not said anything too outrageous. Is there something that you could add, Phil?
So, if there is a treasure trove—
A treasure trove—anything that comes out of the ground that is of value—is passed to the state. Ownerless goods, such as in the case of companies that go bust, are handed over to the state, too. Anything that belongs to no one becomes the King's—or the Queen's, in this state—is the remembrancer's mantra.
What is the annual turnover, roughly?
About £5 million, I think.
It was about £5 million last year.
Thank you.
With that, we move into private session to consider item 9.
Meeting continued in private until 11:21.
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Section 23 Reports (Responses)